Toeboard

ABSTRACT

A toeboard for mounting adjacent an edge of an elevated platform, and the like, for inhibiting items from sliding off the end thereof. The toeboard includes a planar elongated base member that extends along the passageway and provides a barrier. Attached to one side of the base member is a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;T&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; shape guideway for slidably receiving a fastening device such as a nut or bolt and preventing the rotation thereof. The guideway can extend from the base member in a direction for connection to the vertical posts of a railing, or in a direction for connection to the base or floor of the platform, or a combination of a plurality of such guideways. The fastening device can be moved along the guideway so that the toeboard can be retrofitted to existing passageways, or readily installed with new passageways, without drilling holes in the toeboard or without requiring welding.

Unit Sttes Patent [191 Koiske Dec. 3, 1974 I TOEBOARD [73] Assignee:Sybron Corporation, Rochester,

22 Filed: om. 29, 1973 21 App]. No.: 410,372

52 us. c|.....; .Q 256/59, 52/288 [51] Int. Cl E041) 17/20 [58] Field ofSearch 256/1, 59, 65; 248/228,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,416,586 5/1922 Stalder256/47 2,332,477 10/1943 Thornley... 248/241 3,256,663 6/1966 Bishop52/288 X 3,273,296 9/1966 Soulon 52/288 3,589,682 6/1971 Dickey l 1256/59 3,747,898 7/1973 Warren 1 256/59 3,785,602 1/1974 .Iuculano .1248/214 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS France 52/287 PrimaryExaminerDennis L. Taylor Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Theodore B. Roessel [57] ABSTRACT A toeboard for mounting adjacent an edge of an elevatedplatform, and the like, for inhibiting items from I sliding off the endthereof. The toeboard includes a direction for connection to the base orfloor of the platform, or a combination of a plurality of suchguideways. The fastening device can be moved along the guideway so thatthe toeboard can be retrofitted to existing passageways, or readilyinstalled with new passageways, without drilling holes in the toeboardor without requiring welding. I

15 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures PATENIEL nu: 31924 SHEU 2 BF 6 PATENIEDBEE SHEET 4 [IF 6 PATENTEL mi 31914 sum s 0F 6 TOEBOARD BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION This invention pertains to a toeboard arrangement that canbe easily retrofitted to existing open ended platforms or easilyinstalled with new platforms.

With every open sided floor, platform, passageway or the like, thatextends above the ground floor or another level, there is a constantdanger that items placed on the platform can be inadvertently pushed offthe end onto the level below. Hence, there is a safety hazard to personsthat may be working or passing below the platform. In the case ofoperating machinery below the platform, a falling object can jam suchmachinery thereby requiring an expensive repairs. In any event, suchfalling materials could easily create undesirable hazards. In the caseof chemical processing such as for example pickling or galvanizingtanks, and degreasing units, and the like, regardless of the height ofthe walkway or platform, it would be highly desirable to have some sortof barricade or toeboard to prevent items from being inadvertentlydropped into the chemical processes thereby introducing impurities andcreating hazards. In order to be effective, a toeboard should have adimension, normal or vertical to the platform, in the order of 4 inches.The toeboard arrangement should be securely fastened in place so that itprovides a rigid barrier with no more than one quarter of an inch ofclearance above the floor level and no more than one inch separationbetween sections of the toeboards.

The presently available toeboards are of the type that require weldingor drilling to facilitate installation. Such an arrangement is ratherexpensive since. it requires skilled personnel and expensive weldingand/or drilling tools. This is particularly troublesome in areas inwhich welding may be hazardous and/or electrical power is not readilyavailable for drilling. It would be highly desirable if a toeboardarrangement could be provided that can be easily and readily installedwithout the use of special tools and highly trained workmen.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new andimproved toeboard that can be simply and inexpensively installed on newand existing platforms.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an new and improvedtoeboard that can be installed on new or existing platforms without theneed of drilling or weldmg.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improvedtoeboard for installation on new and existing platforms that does notrequire the accurate installation of railing posts, and can fit to anyvariation in spacings of rail posts.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a new and improvedtoeboard that can be readily installed on the railings of the platform,the floor of the platform, or the combination of both.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improvedtoeboard for platforms and the like including means for securing thefloor of the platform thereto.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a new and improvedtoeboard for platforms and the like wherein the toeboard also functionsas a structural element for providing support means for the platformfloor and railing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The toeboard of the inventionincludes an elongated base member to be mounted adjacent the edge of theplatform and transverse to the floor of the platform to provide avertical barrier to inhibit items from sliding off the end of theplatform. Attachment means, extending from one side of the base member,is formed with a tubular type aperature extending along the length ofthe base member and an elongated slot parallel to the tubular apertureproviding an opening thereto. The combination of the tubular apertureand the slot provide a guideway for slidably receiving an attachmentdevice, such as for example, a nut or a bolt. In the case of a nut, or astandard type bolt, the tubular aperture is shaped, for example with arectangular cross-section, to prevent the rotation of the nut or boltreceived therein. In the case of a carriage bolt, the slot can have arectangular cross-section mate with the square shank Of the carriagebolt to prevent the rotation thereof. The arrangement is such, that thefastening device can be installed into the guideway, slid to the desiredlocation, and fastened to the railing or floor board by a'matching nutor bolt. Such an arrangement avoids the need for accurate installationof railing posts wherein the toeboard of the invention can be made tofit any variations in spacing requiring only a wrench to make theinstallation.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a single attachmentmeans is provided for connection of the toeboard to the railing posts.

In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, a pair ofparallel attachment means are provided for connection to the rail posts.

A third embodiment of the invention includes flange means extending fromthe base member with the attachment means formed therein, so that thetoeboard can be connected to the floor of the platform rather than therailing post. In this arrangement, means can also be provided forsecuring the floor of the platform to the toeboard.

A further embodiment of the invention includes a combination of flangemeans and a plurality of attachment means so that the toeboard can besecured to both the floor and the railing post, as desired, or to serveas a structural memberfor the platform and its railing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. l is the isometric view of aplatform having a railing and a toeboard attached to an end thereof.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the toeboard of the invention secured to arailing post and illustrating the attachment means of the toeboard andcarriage bolts positioned therein in phantom.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the toeboard of FIG2 with carriage boltsinserted in the attachment means.

FIG. 4 is top view of the toeboard of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of the toeboard of FIG. 2 taken along lines AAincluding carriage bolts illustrating a connection to a round railingpost.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a portion of the toeboard of FIG. 2 attached toa round railing post.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a portion of the toeboard of FIG. 2 secured to asquare railing post.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the toeboard of FIG. 2 secured to angle typerailing post.

FIG. 9 is a cutaway view of the attachment means of the toeboard of FIG.2 including a not located therein as the fastening device receivedtherein.

FIG. 10 is a cutaway view of the attachment means of the toeboard ofFIG. 2 with a bolt positioned therein.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a grating type crosswalk for extending overclarifiers, and the like, including a railing and a toeboard.

FIG. 12 is a front view of a second embodiment of the toeboard of theinvention secured to a railing post and illustrating the attachmentmeans the toeboard carriage bolts and the grating floor in phantom.

FIG. 13 is a rear view of the toeboard of FIG. 12 with carriage boltsinserted in the attachment means.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the toeboard of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is the bottom view of the toeboard of FIG. 12.

FIG. 16 is a cutaway end view of the toeboard of FIG. 12 includingcarriage bolts illustrating a connection to a round post and with thegrating floor in phantom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The toeboard 10 of the inventionis adapted to be connected or attached to the end of a platform of thetype illustrated in FIG. I, or the crosswalk of the type illustrated inFIG. 11. For the purpose of this patent application platform shall meanany open sided floor, passageway, balconey, crosswalk, walkways, etc.,wherein the floor of the platform is above the adjacent floor, abovemachinery, or chemical processes, and the like. The toeboard 10 can besecured to a vertical post 12 of a railing 14, or can be secured to thefloor 16 of the platform, or any combination both.

The embodiment of the toeboard 10 of the invention illustrated in FIGS.2-10 is the type that includes a single attachment means 20 extendingfrom the toeboard 10 toward the vertical railing posts 12. The toeboardincludes a planar elongated base member 22 which has a first. orvertical dimension, on the order of four inches, and a second, orhorizontal dimension, extending in the'general direction of the edge ofthe platform,

that is substantially longer than the vertical dimension,

such as for example, can be any convenient length such as l0, 12, or 25feet, etc. Since the toeboard 10 of FIGS. 2-10 is to be mounted to therailings, 12, it is only necessary that the toeboard 10 has a length(second dimension) that is equal to or greater than the spacing betweenthe vertical railing posts 12. The base member 22 has a pitched top 11and a tear drop bottom 13 to prevent the accumulation of ice, snow anddirt.

As can be seen by FIGS. 3 and 5, the attachment.

means 20 for the toeboard 10 is formed with a tubular type aperature24.that extends the length of the toeboard 10. The attachment means 20is also formed with an elongated slot 26 which provides an opening tothe tubular aperture 24 in a direction transverse the plane of the basemember 22. The combination of the tubular aperture 24 and the elongatedslot 26 provides a T" shaped guideway for slidably receiving fasteningdevices such as for example nuts, bolts, or carriage bolts, and forpreventing the fastening devices from rotating. For example, when usinga carriage bolt 30 as illustrated in FIG. 5, the slot 26 has arectangular shape to provide a close fit with the square portion of theshank 28 of the carriage bolt 30. As illustrated in FIG. 9, a nut 32 canbe inserted into the tubular aperture 24 wherein the tubular aperatureprevents the rotation thereof, and the elongated slot 26 provides anaccess to the nut 37. In a similar manner, a bolt 34 can be insertedinto the attachment means 20 with the head located within the tubularaperture 24 to prevent the rotation thereof and with threaded shank 34extending through the elongated slot 26.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5, 6, '7 and 8, the toeboard of the invention isadapted to be connected to any shape or type of railing post by usingthe appropriate fastening bracket 38 along with screw type fasteningdevices. In, FIGS. 5 and 6, the heads of pair of carriage bolts 30 areinserted into the attachment means 20 with the square portion of theshank extending through the elongated slot 26. The carriage bolts 30 areslid into position adjacent opposite sides of the vertical posts 12. Thebracket 38, having a rounded portion, is placed behind the post 12 sothat the bolts extend through the bracket hole and the nuts 40 arescrewed into place. The square shank 28 of the carriage bolt 30 is keptfrom rotating by the elongated slot 26. If the nut 32 was to be thefastening device to be inserted into the tubular aperture 24 (asillustrated in FIG. 9) a bolt would then extend through the bracket holeand through the elongated slot 26 to engage the nut 32. In this case,the tubular aperature 24 will be of the shape and size to keep the nut32 from rotating.

As can be seen, the attachment means 20 provides a slidable guideway forreceiving the fastening devices, such as nuts and bolts, to allow suchfastening devices to be slid into position, and then prevents thefastening devices from being rotated so they can be secured intoposition. Hence, the only tools necessary for securing the toeboard ofthe invention to a platform is a wrench. The toeboard of the inventioncan be readily secured to any spacings of platform railing posts sincethe fastening device can be secured at any location throughout itslength. Furthermore, the toeboard of the invention can attach to anyform of railing post by merely using the appropriate mounting bracket.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a crosswalk 41 having open gratings 42(partially illustrated) serving as the floor. In such case, thecrosswalk 41 generally includes two parallel angle iron supports 44 uponwhich the gratings 42 are placed and secured to. The walkway can alsohave railing including the vertical posts 46. The embodiment of thetoeboard 49 of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 12-16 is adapted to beconnected to the angle iron support 44, or the posts 46 or a combinationof both the angle iron supports 44 and the posts 46. In addition, thearrangement of FIGS. 12-16 provides means for securing the grating tothe toeboard 49 rather than angle iron supports 44. Alternatively, thetoeboard 49 can also serve as a support member eliminating the need forthe support 44.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12-16, the toeboard 49 includes an elongatedbase member 50 and a pair of railing post type attachment means 52 and54 exteding from one planar side of the base member 50 and adjacentopposite ends thereof. Each of the attachment means 52 and 54 include atubular aperture 56 and 58, respectively, and an elongated slot 60 and62, respectively, of the type described in greater detail above withregards to FIGS. 2l0. A pair of carriage bolts 61 are inserted in eachof the attachment means 52 and 54, that extend through the railing postbrackets 63 and are secured in place by the nuts 65.

In addition to the foregoing, a flange 64 extends from the lower end ofthe base member 50 defining substantially a ninety degree angle betweenthe base member 50 and the flange 64. An attachment means66 is providedin the flange 64 on the side of the flange exterior to the angle. Theattachment means 66 includes a tubular aperature 68 and a slot 70extending therefrom of the type previously described in greater detailwith regard to FIGS. 2-10. The attachment means 66 in the flange 64provides a means for securing the toeboard 49 of the invention to theangle iron supports 44 via a carriage bolt 71. In addition to theforegoing, the flange is also formed with an additional elongated slot72 and aperture means including a plurality of holes 71 extendingthrough the flange member 64 to the slot 72 to receive fastening devicessuch the nut 73 and the bolt 75 for. securing the grating 42 to thetoeboard 49. It should be understood, that the holes 71 can beeliminated and can be drilled on location when being assembled.

Although the toeboard of the invention has been illustrated in FIGS.11-16 as having a plurality of attachment means for attachment to therailing post along with attachment means for attachment to the platformfloor or supports, it is to be understood that the toeboard of theinvention can have any combination of such attachment means. Forexample, the toeboard of the invention can be formed to include only theattachment means 66 for securing the toeboard to the platform floororangle iron supports 44, or only one or more of the attachment means 52and 54 for securing toeboard to the railing posts, or any combinationthereof. In addition to the foregoing, the flange 64 need not be acontinuous unit but can comprise a plurality of separate or individualflanges extending to various Sections of the base member 50.

The toeboard of the invention has the advantage of being able to be madeas a continous unit and cut to various sizes. For example, the toeboardcan be made of aluminum or plastic and can be supplied in variouslengths up to 25 feet. When installing, the toeboard merely be placedadjacent the edge of the platform to which it is to be secured. If thetoeboard is too long, it can be cut to size. An appropriate number offasten devices are thereafter inserted into the attachment means. Forexample, if the toeboard is to be connected or secured to railing posts,two bolts or two nuts are inserted into the attachment means for eachpost. The two fastening devices for each post are slid along theguideway to a position adjacent to their associated railing post andlocated on opposite sides thereof. The toeboard is thereafter secured byselecting the appropriate bracket and threading the other portion of thefastening device to that received in the attachment means with-the useof a wrench. Hence, as can be seen, the only tool (other than possibly asaw) need for installation is a wrench. The toeboard does not requireany additional supports and can be secured to the railings posts alreadypresent. Furthermore, because of the ease of installation, the toeboardcan be installed by the owners maintenance personnel therefore notrequiring any skilled contractors. In addition to the foregoing, duringthe installation of new railings, there is no need to require theaccurate installation of railing posts, the

toeboard of the invention can fit any variations of spacings betweenrailing posts.

In the case of grating type walkways, the toeboard of the invention canbe fastened to railing posts as previously described. Since the toeboardof the invention of FIGS. 11-16 includes the flange extending therefrom,the toeboard can provide the integral support for the grating walkwaysthereby eliminating need for angle type supports 44 wherein in thetoeboard will serve as the support itself. In such an arrangement, thecombined toeboard and support member can include a lip 80 (asillustrated in FIG. 6) that extends from the base member in thedirection of the railing post '46 to act as a bottom support for thepost 46. The grating floor 42 can be installed to the toeboard at thefactory or at the job site with simple flat head screws and standardnuts.

What is claimed:

1. A toeboard for mounting adjacent an edge'of an platform, and thelike, the toeboard providing a barrier for inhibiting items from slidingoff the end of the platform, said toeboard comprising:

a generally planar elongated base member for mounting to the platformalong the edge thereof and to extend from said platform in a directiontransverse. I

the plane of the platform, said base member having a first dimension forextending in the transverse direction and a second dimension,substantially greater than the first dimension, for extending in thegeneral direction of the edge of the platform, and

attachment means extending from one planar side of the base member forreceiving a fastening device for securing the toeboard to the platform,said attachment means extends along the base member in the direction ofsaid second dimension and is formed with an elongated tubular apertureextending in the direction of said second dimension and with anelongated slot extending parallel to said tubular aperture providing anelongated opening thereto, the dimension of said elongated slot beingsubstantially smaller than the corresponding dimension of said tubularaperture, the arrangement being such that the combination .of saidtubular aperatureand said elongated slot provides a guideway forslidably receiving a fastening device for movement thereof on thedirection of the second dimension, for preventing the rotation of thefastening so received, and providing an access for the fastening device.I 2. A toeboard as defined in claim 1 wherein: said attachment means isattached to said base member adjacent one'end thereof.

3. A toeboard, for the platform that has a railing, withvertical membersattached thereto, as defined'in claim 2 wherein:

said attachment means is adapted to be secured to the vertical membersof said railing. 1 4. A toeboard as defined in claim 2 wherein: saidattachment means is adapted to be secured to floor of the platform. 5.'A toeboard as defined in claim 3 wherein: the end of said base memberopposite the end adjacent said attachment means includes a curvedportion therein extending in a direction opposite to the planar side towhich said attachment is attached. 6. A toeboard as defined in claim 3wherein:

a second attachment means is attached to the same planar side of saidbase member is said other attachment means, substantially parallelthereto, and attached adjacent the other end of said base member.

7. A toeboard as defined in claim 2 wherein:

a crossection of said tubular aperature, transverse the plane of saidbase member, has a generally rectangular shape, and

a crossection of the combination of said tubular aperature and elongatedslot, transverse the plane of said base member, has the form of a T."

8. A toeboard as defined in claim 7 wherein said fastening device is anut,

9. A toeboard as defined in claim 7 wherein:

said fastening device is a bolt, wherein the head thereof is adapted toextend into the tubular aperature and the threaded body is adapted toextend beyond said elongated slot.

10. A toeboard as defined in claim 1 including:

flange means attached to a planar side of said base member opposite thatfrom which the attachment means extends, and adjacent an end of saidbase member, defining an angle therebetween,

second attachment means attached to a side of said flange means exteriorsaid angle for receiving a fastening device for attaching the flangemeans to the platform, said flange means being formed an elongatedtubular aperature extending in a direction generally parallel to theelongated tubular member of said other attachment means and with anelongated slot extending substantially parallel to the tubular aperatureproving an opening thereto, the dimension of said slot beingsubstantially smaller than the corresponding dimension of said tubularaperature, the arrangement being such that the combination of saidaperature and said elongated slot provides a guideway for slidablyreceiving a fastening device for movement thereof along said tubularaperature, for preventing the rotation of the fastening device soreceived, and providing an access for the fastening device.

11. A toeboard as defined in claim 1 wherein:

said attachment means include flange means attached to a planar side ofsaid base member in a transverse relation thereto and adjacent an end ofsaid base member defining an angle therebetween, said flange means beingformed with said tubular aperature and elongated slot wherein saidelongated slot provides access to said tubular aperature on the side ofsaid flange means exterior to said angle.

12. A toeboard as defined in claim 11 wherein:

said flange means extends along the length of said base member, and

said angle is in the order of ninety degrees.

13. A combined toeboard-structural member for platforms, and the like,for supporting the floor and railing of the platform, and providing abarrier for inhibiting items from sliding off the end of the platform,comprising:

a generally planar elongated base member, the length thereof beingsubstantially longer than the height, said elongated base member beingformed, on one planar side thereof, with an elongated tubular aperatureextending along th length thereof and with an elongated slot extendingparallel to said tubular ap erature providing an elongated openingthereto. the height of said elongated slot being substantially smallerthan the height of said tubular aperature. the arrangement being suchthat the combination of said aperature and said elongated slot providesa guideway for slidably receiving a fastening device for movement alongthe length thereof, for preventing the rotation of the fastening deviceso received, and providing an access to the fastening device;

flange means extending from an end of said base member on the sideopposite that having the guideway and at an angle generally normal tothe plane of the base member and extending along the length thereof,said flange means being formed on the side exterior to said angle, witha groove partially extending through the flange means and extendingalong the length thereof and aperature means extending through theflange to the groove, the arrangement being such that the aperaturesmeans and the groove provides means for receiving fastening devices inthe groove and extending through the aperature means and for preventingthe rotation of the fastening device so received, thereby providingmeans for attaching the platform floor thereto.

14. A combined toeboard-structural member as defined in claim 13wherein:

said elongated base member is formed with a second guideway extendingout the same planar side of the base member as said other guideway, andsubstantially parallel thereto,

a lip extending from the same planar side of said base member as saidguideways at the same end of the base member as the flange means isattached thereto, for providing a base for vertical railing postsattached theretov 45 15. A combined toeboard-structural member asdelined in claim 14 wherein:

said flange member is formed, on the side exterior to said angle, withan elongated tubular aperture extending along the length thereof andwith an el0ngated slot extending parallel to said tubular apertureproviding an elongated opening thereto, said elongated slot beingsubstantially smaller than the tubular aperature, the arrangement beingsuch that the combination of said aperature and said elongated slotprovies a guideway for slidably receiving a fastening device formovement along the length thereof, for preventing the rotation of thefastening device so received, and for providing an access for thefastening devices so received for securing the toeboard-structuralmember to the platform floor.

1. A toeboard for mounting adjacent an edge of an platform, and thelike, the toeboard providing a barrier for inhibiting items from slidingoff the end of the platform, said toeboard comprising: a generallyplanar elongated base member for mounting to the platform along the edgethereof and to extend from said platform in a direction transverse theplane of the platform, said base member having a first dimension forextending in the transverse direction and a second dimension,substantially greater than the first dimension, for extending in thegeneral direction of the edge of the platform, and attachment meansextending from one planar side of the base member foR receiving afastening device for securing the toeboard to the platform, saidattachment means extends along the base member in the direction of saidsecond dimension and is formed with an elongated tubular apertureextending in the direction of said second dimension and with anelongated slot extending parallel to said tubular aperture providing anelongated opening thereto, the dimension of said elongated slot beingsubstantially smaller than the corresponding dimension of said tubularaperture, the arrangement being such that the combination of saidtubular aperature and said elongated slot provides a guideway forslidably receiving a fastening device for movement thereof on thedirection of the second dimension, for preventing the rotation of thefastening so received, and providing an access for the fastening device.2. A toeboard as defined in claim 1 wherein: said attachment means isattached to said base member adjacent one end thereof.
 3. A toeboard,for the platform that has a railing, with vertical members attachedthereto, as defined in claim 2 wherein: said attachment means is adaptedto be secured to the vertical members of said railing.
 4. A toeboard asdefined in claim 2 wherein: said attachment means is adapted to besecured to floor of the platform.
 5. A toeboard as defined in claim 3wherein: the end of said base member opposite the end adjacent saidattachment means includes a curved portion therein extending in adirection opposite to the planar side to which said attachment isattached.
 6. A toeboard as defined in claim 3 wherein: a secondattachment means is attached to the same planar side of said base memberis said other attachment means, substantially parallel thereto, andattached adjacent the other end of said base member.
 7. A toeboard asdefined in claim 2 wherein: a crossection of said tubular aperature,transverse the plane of said base member, has a generally rectangularshape, and a crossection of the combination of said tubular aperatureand elongated slot, transverse the plane of said base member, has theform of a ''''T.''''
 8. A toeboard as defined in claim 7 wherein saidfastening device is a nut.
 9. A toeboard as defined in claim 7 wherein:said fastening device is a bolt, wherein the head thereof is adapted toextend into the tubular aperature and the threaded body is adapted toextend beyond said elongated slot.
 10. A toeboard as defined in claim 1including: flange means attached to a planar side of said base memberopposite that from which the attachment means extends, and adjacent anend of said base member, defining an angle therebetween, secondattachment means attached to a side of said flange means exterior saidangle for receiving a fastening device for attaching the flange means tothe platform, said flange means being formed an elongated tubularaperature extending in a direction generally parallel to the elongatedtubular member of said other attachment means and with an elongated slotextending substantially parallel to the tubular aperature proving anopening thereto, the dimension of said slot being substantially smallerthan the corresponding dimension of said tubular aperature, thearrangement being such that the combination of said aperature and saidelongated slot provides a guideway for slidably receiving a fasteningdevice for movement thereof along said tubular aperature, for preventingthe rotation of the fastening device so received, and providing anaccess for the fastening device.
 11. A toeboard as defined in claim 1wherein: said attachment means include flange means attached to a planarside of said base member in a transverse relation thereto and adjacentan end of said base member defining an angle therebetween, said flangemeans being formed with said tubular aperature and elongated slotwherein said elongated slot provides access to said tubular aperature onthe side of said flange means exterior to said angle.
 12. A toeboard asdefined in claim 11 wherein: said flange means extends along the lengthof said base member, and said angle is in the order of ninety degrees.13. A combined toeboard-structural member for platforms, and the like,for supporting the floor and railing of the platform, and providing abarrier for inhibiting items from sliding off the end of the platform,comprising: a generally planar elongated base member, the length thereofbeing substantially longer than the height, said elongated base memberbeing formed, on one planar side thereof, with an elongated tubularaperature extending along th length thereof and with an elongated slotextending parallel to said tubular aperature providing an elongatedopening thereto, the height of said elongated slot being substantiallysmaller than the height of said tubular aperature, the arrangement beingsuch that the combination of said aperature and said elongated slotprovides a guideway for slidably receiving a fastening device formovement along the length thereof, for preventing the rotation of thefastening device so received, and providing an access to the fasteningdevice; flange means extending from an end of said base member on theside opposite that having the guideway and at an angle generally normalto the plane of the base member and extending along the length thereof,said flange means being formed on the side exterior to said angle, witha groove partially extending through the flange means and extendingalong the length thereof and aperature means extending through theflange to the groove, the arrangement being such that the aperaturesmeans and the groove provides means for receiving fastening devices inthe groove and extending through the aperature means and for preventingthe rotation of the fastening device so received, thereby providingmeans for attaching the platform floor thereto.
 14. A combinedtoeboard-structural member as defined in claim 13 wherein: saidelongated base member is formed with a second guideway extending out thesame planar side of the base member as said other guideway, andsubstantially parallel thereto, a lip extending from the same planarside of said base member as said guideways at the same end of the basemember as the flange means is attached thereto, for providing a base forvertical railing posts attached thereto.
 15. A combinedtoeboard-structural member as defined in claim 14 wherein: said flangemember is formed, on the side exterior to said angle, with an elongatedtubular aperture extending along the length thereof and with anelongated slot extending parallel to said tubular aperture providing anelongated opening thereto, said elongated slot being substantiallysmaller than the tubular aperature, the arrangement being such that thecombination of said aperature and said elongated slot provies a guidewayfor slidably receiving a fastening device for movement along the lengththereof, for preventing the rotation of the fastening device soreceived, and for providing an access for the fastening devices soreceived for securing the toeboard-structural member to the platformfloor.